Bird Photography and 30 Bird Sightings during Gir Earth Walks
Exploring the ecological layers of Gir - A report of the Gir Earth Walks birdwatching trail held at Gir Birding Lodge
Date: 24/05/26
Location: Gir Birding Lodge
Walk Leader: Amit Ram
Walk Coordinator: Ramesh
Walk Theme: Wings & Wilderness of Gir Birding Lodge
Summers seem to be the harshest in Sasan Gir, and naturally, the birds and animals also adapt themselves similarly to the scorching heat of the summer. To witness the same changes around Gir Birding Lodge, Asian Adventures, in collaboration with the Global Wildlife Fair and Gujarat Tourism, had organised an Earth Walk on Sunday. The participants met at the designated location of the lodge, from where the walk was supposed to begin. In the beginning, the participants engaged in an interactive session with the walk leader, during which a participant mentioned a recent book he read on Gir's avian culture, leading to a group discussion about the birds featured in it. The walk coordinator even asked about the details of the book so that it could be added to the lodge's library of the lodge.
The walk then started, even though it was pretty warm for morning hours, the participants’ motivation to spot the species of birds was the driving force. After discussing how these summers are expected to be among the hottest the country will experience, the first sighting of the day was the Indian Silverbell. The bird itself was searching for some shade to protect itself from the sun, and when it finally settled under a thick canopy of leaves, the participants captured the best shots of the bird. The walk leader here explained about the influx of migratory birds in the region and also explained how the resident birds adapt to the changes in the weather accordingly. It was then that the second bird of the day was spotted. Slowly walking over the patch of dried leaves, an Oriental Magpie-Robin was finding something to feed itself on.
Since the whole patch was covered with dried leaves, the walk leader guided the participants on the correct way to capture the images of the bird without making much noise that would scare the bird away. While returning towards the lodge, a coppersmith barbet was also observed. Overall, the walk was a success, with participants exploring what lies beyond the Asiatic Lions and the safaris in Gir. You can even be a part of this Sunday's adventure by joining Earth Walks. To become a part, click here: https://asianadventures.info/p/af0725/
Bird List
1. Red-vented bulbul
2. Purple Sunbird
3. Rock pigeon
4. Oriental magpie robin
5. Red-wattled lapwing
6. Jungle babbler
7. Asian koel
8. Indian peafowl
9. Indian robin
10. Rose- ringed parakeet
11. House sparrow
12. Coppersmith barbet
13. Spotted dove
14. Common Tailorbird
15. House crow
16. Tickell's blue flycatcher
17. Indian White-eye
18. Shikra
19. Asian tit
20. Gray francolin
21. Small minivet
22. White-browed fantail
23. Ashy Prinia
24. Wire- tailed swallow
25. Indian silverbill
26. Common woodshrike
27. Pale-billed 28.Flowerpecker
29. Plum-headed parakeet
30. Common hawk-cuckoo